Smell Like A Man: Make Your Own Bay Rum Aftershave/Cologne

I don't know about you, but I'm a man! I love red meat, strong whiskey, fast cars, hot women, and when I shave, I like to slap a cold slab of steel against my face and do it with a straight razor. And aside from acting like a man, you have to smell like a man. Smelling like a cheap french whore just isn't becoming. My personal favorite manly scent is Bay Rum. It's woody, sweet, and spicy...and just exudes manliness. So, here is my recipe on how to whip up a bottle of bay rum at home.

The best part of home made bay rum is that you can make it your own! People throw in Limes, Cloves, Cinnamon and all sorts of other to make it their own.

For decades now, Bay rum has been a stand by scent for guys. You can go to the local drug store or online store and pick up a bottle for about 10 bucks. By why in the hell would you do that when you can easily make it at home for cheap and make it smell the way you want, just like 16th century sailors or old school barbers?

Here are a couple of recipes I've used at my house. One is a recipe from an 1886 barbering guide and the other is one that my grandfather told to me. Both work and smell fantastic! And as always, don't be afraid to put your own twist on these. Add some dry cloves. Add some lime zest. Go crazy and be a man!

Bay Rum No. 3 Recipe from Mack’s Barbers Guide

Note: The bay laurel is different from the pimenta racemosa leaf that is traditionally used in bay rum, so this recipe will smell a bit different, but it still smells good. You can buy a bottle of bay laurel oil online or at a aromatherapy store.

• 2 Drams of Oil of Bay Laurel (a dram is 1/16 of an ounce)
• 4 ounces of Jamaica Rum
• 24 ounces of alcohol
• 36 ounces of water
• 1 ounce of pulverized magnesia

Combine all the ingredients above and strain through several layers of cheesecloth (coffee filters will work as well). Put in a container of some sort and start attracting hot women immediately, if not sooner.

GrandPappy Puff's DIY Bay Rum

• 4 Ounces Neutral Spirit (I use Everclear, but Vodka will work)
• 4 Tablespoons Jamaican Rum (I use Appleton, but only because I like to drink it too. Any will do)
• 2-3 Dried Pimenta racemosa Bay Leaves (Don’t use the bay leaf they sell at the grocery store in the spice aisle. They don't work in this)
• 1/4 Teaspoon Allspice
• 1 Stick of Cinnamon, broken in pieces
• 2-4 Dried Clove Buds (depends on the size of the buds)
• Fresh Zest from a Small Orange (I use lime sometimes and sometimes even a pinch of pipe tobacco. Don't go overboard on the zest or it'll overpower the bay leaves/spice/rum. Like I said, nothing is set in stone. Toss in what you like and see what sticks. Mix and match as you please)

Combine all ingredients in a mason jar with a tightly fitting lid. Store in a cool, dark place like under your house or in a closet for two to three weeks. When the time comes, strain the mixture through several layers of coffee filters. If necessary, repeat until no residue remains. Put in a nice bottle and start smelling like the baddest dude on the block.